PRINCE OF WALES’ TOUR.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1920, Page 4

PRINCE OF WALES’ TOUR.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.,

PRINCE’S DEPARTURE.

•LONDON, March 20

Deuse crowds lined tile route between Buckingham Palace, where the Royal family took lunch/ and Victoria Station, and gave an ovation to the Prince of Wales and other royalties. A representative gathering of people asembled on the railway platform to wish the Prince “God Speed,” including Mr Lloyd George, Lord Gurzon, Mr Churchill, and Lord Beatty, the Fishers, Sir T. Macenzie, Mr Weigall, the Agents General, their wives and others.

Their Majesties, with Princess Mary and Princes Albert, Henry and Arthur of Connaught, were warmly cheered on arrival, also the Queen Mother Alexandra, the Duchess of Argyll, the Countess of Athlone.

The Prince wore a naval uniform, and looked well. He chatted freely with friends and assured all he was looking forward to a jolly good time. He was about to enter the train, when suddenly a 'great, growing cheer resounded through the station. The others immediately realised what had happened. The crowd outside the station had burst the strong police cordon, and were now rushing, cheering pell-mell along the drive, like a tidal wave. Tho police were powerless to stay the onrush, and were carried along with the stream, until close to the Royal enclosure, where a special posse of police, together with a body of Australian soldiers,' who occupied a c oign of advantage opposite the Royal cairiage, promptly formed a double cordon across the road.

The Prince and their Majesties .appeared to enjoy the unrehearsed incident. His ‘ Highness stepped smilingly into the roadway and saluted the cheering crowd. After finally shaking hands with .friends on the platform, the Prince proceeded to kiss the Princess good-bye, but Princess Mary smilingly whispered in his oar and pushed him gently towards’ the saloon, where the family partings took place. The aged Queen Mother seemed deeply affected in farewelling her grandson. She patted him lovingly and kissed him on both cheeks. The "Prince respectfully stooped and kissed his grandmother’s hand. The King and Queen remained in conversation several minutes as their Royal Ambassador—the Prince—stood at the door of the carriage, he finally' shaking hands with liis grandmother and mother as the train steamed off amid renewed cheering. Princes Albert and Henry accompanied the Prince to Portsmouth.

MORE DETAILS. LONDON, March 16. Mr Sandes (special correspondent of the Australian Press Association, with the Prince of Wales), writes from Portsmouth :—The week’s delay, due to quarantine, was well utilised by the crew of the Renown, which is now spic and span. Admiral Halsey gave a dinner party in the beautiful dining room, which is fitted up for the Prince, and opens into a semi-circular sitting room, extending across the upper deck well aft. The decorative scheme is simple, but effective. The pictures are mostly fine old engraving of famous British sea fights and portraits of great statesmen of bygone days. Silver in dining room and fresh flowers, matching the colour scheme in each room lend richness to the general effect. The life and routine on board the battle cruiser has already commenced with tho ceremony of slowly lowering the white ensign, while 2 buglers standing side by side sounded the call at sunset, and as every ship in this old war harbour lowered its ensign in unison, it seemed unusually impressive. A few hundreds yards away lies Nelson’s “Victory,” recalling a famous fight, which safeguarded Australasia for people of British stock, and prepared the way for this voyage of a great battle cruiser, which carries the heir to the British Crown to visit distant nurslings of sea power. There have been many “Renowns” in the Royal Navy, and these peculiarly associated with Royalty. The present Renon was not commissioned until after Jutland. She then became one of the first cruiser squadron. She afterwards constantly patrolled German waters in an endeavour to tempt the German fleet out.

Commander Campbell, navigating officer, has a heavy load of responsibility this voyage. The Culebra Cut is only three times the Renown’s width, and only the centre af Panama Canal is the water deep enough for her draught. i. rough weather prevails on arrival at tlie entrance of Port Phillip, it is probable the passage of the “rip” will not be attempted. The Renown draws ,31ft. The margin of safety would be too small in bad weather.

A chart of tho voyage, posted yesterday in the ward-room, shows San Francisco will be visited, also the possessions of tho Wet Indies on the return voyage.

The Renown is timed to be bacu. in Portsmouth on October 14th.

The Royal train arrived at four in the afternoon, the Prince being attended by Admiral Halsey (Chief of Staff), Sir Godfrey Thomas, Lieuf.-Col. Grigg. He alighted and was received by Admiral Burney (Commandor-in-Chief of Portsmouth), General Blaekadder (Commanding the Military Forces), the Commander of the Dockyard, the Mayor of Portsmouth.

The Renown was dressed in flags, as were also all the ships in the harbour, including the Victory. The crew were drawn up on the quarter-deck, and tile band of the Marines played the National Anthem as the Prince came on hoard. He proceeded at once to shake hands with all the officers and to inspect the crew. As the Prince, with his slight boyish figure, walked slowly past two great 15-inch guns, pointing side by side to seaward, the scene on deck was brilliant with a bkifso of scarlet where the Marines wore drawn up, and the glitter of gold lace of bho naval uniforms. A sa lute of guns roared a welcome.

CER.EMONIES AT PANAMA. WASHINGTON, March 19. Several members of tho British Embassy have left for Panama, to participate in tho ceremonies on the arrival of tho Prince of Wales on March 30. The President of Panama will give a grand Ball in the Prince's honor at the Union Club.

PASSING THROUGH PANAMA. LONDON, March 19 Owing to the recent landside, the Panama Canal is still temporarily closed to heavy draught vessels. No official intimation of a stoppage has been received. Thereore it is assumed that the Canal will be cleared before the Renown arrives.

It is unlikely the Prince’s programme will be affected.